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Fired Highmark CEO gets counseling; charges withdrawn

Ken Melani was accused of fighting with girlfriend's husband in Oakmont

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Updated: 12:34 PM EDT Jun 6, 2012

Ken Melani

Fired Highmark CEO gets counseling; charges withdrawn

Ken Melani was accused of fighting with girlfriend's husband in Oakmont

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Updated: 12:34 PM EDT Jun 6, 2012

PLUM, Pa. —

Charges against former Highmark president and CEO Ken Melani -- who was fired after an altercation with his girlfriend's husband -- were withdrawn on Wednesday morning because he completed an anger management program.

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In a written statement, the DA's office said this is "a common resolution to these type of cases where the defendant is a first-time offender."

"He obviously took a hit -- an economic hit, a journalistic hit. He has been embarrassed to some extent," attorney Robert Del Greco said after the hearing at District Judge Linda Zucco's office. "That being said, he has a positive, forward-looking attitude, and I think he's now -- with this behind him -- is going to seek employment elsewhere, is optimistic towards things."

"They were both running when I saw them. One was chasing the other," witness Vida Chieffo told Channel 4 Action News.

Chieffo said she could not tell which man was chasing the other, but she knows one of them got the worst of it.

"When they got across the street, the man in the green shirt was in front and the one behind him pushed him into the door," Chieffo said. "When he came out, he was holding his face, and then they got into a scuffle, and the young lady came out and tried to break it up."

The Highmark board of directors put Melani on unpaid administrative leave before announcing that he was being let go.

Melani is "deeply disappointed and upset by the action of the board. We will be reviewing the legal propriety of Dr. Melani’s dismissal and will act accordingly," Del Greco said in a written statement.

According to the criminal complaint, Mark Myler said Melani showed up uninvited at his home, where his wife also was at the time.

Mark Myler said Melani ignored "about 10" requests to leave and accused Melissa Myler of cheating on him and told her, "It's all about my money," according to the complaint.

Mark Myler took Melani out to the front porch, where a fight broke out until police arrived, the complaint read.

"Nothing like this ever happens around here," Chieffo said. "This is the quietest neighborhood you could ever be in."

There were conflicting reports about who threw the first punch, according to the complaint.